Marvel Disassembled Reading Order

Part 9: Secret Invasion

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New Avengers: Illuminati #5 Cover

Part 9.1: The Infiltration

A powerful and malevolent force is taking shape in the Marvel Universe, the origins of which trace back nearly a decade ago to the Kree-Skrull War. A secret cabal of heroes known as the Illuminati made a drastic choice that is now coming back to haunt everyone they know and love. Before the Secret Invasion begins, explore the days and weeks leading up to the momentous event in a period known only as…The Infiltration!

Reading Order:

  • New Avengers: Illuminati #1 – #5

  • Black Panther #35 – #38

  • She-Hulk #22 – #30

  • X-Factor #33

  • She-Hulk #31

  • X-Factor #34

  • Incredible Hercules #116

  • Punisher: War Journal #18 – #23

  • Nova #13 – #15

  • Guardians of the Galaxy (2008) #1 – #3

  • Ms. Marvel #25 – #27

  • Secret Invasion: Inhumans #1– #2

Collected Editions:


Secret Invasion #2 Cover

Part 9.2: Landing Party

The invasion has begun! After hints and whispers of isolated incidents throughout the superhero community of people being replaced by members of the shapeshifting Skrull race, the Avengers are confronted head on by an entire army of Skrull invaders. But in a world where the Skrulls have the exact same memories and powers as their friends and loved ones, who do you trust?

Reading Order:

  • Mighty Avengers #12 – #13

  • Secret Invasion Prologue #1

  • Secret Invasion #1

  • Avengers: The Initiative #14

  • Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #1 – #2

  • New Avengers #40

  • Secret Invasion #2

  • Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust? #1

  • New Avengers #41

  • Mighty Avengers #14 – #15

  • Thunderbolts #122

  • Secret Invasion: Spider-Man – Brand New Day #1

  • Secret Invasion: Thor #1 – #3

  • Guardians of the Galaxy #4 – #6

  • Captain Britain and MI: 13 #1 – #4

  • Incredible Hercules #117 – #118

  • Avengers: The Initiative #15

  • Secret Invasion #3

Collected Editions:


Secret Invasion #4 Cover

Part 9.3: Battle of Manhattan

With most of the Avengers stranded in the Savage Land, locked in battle with their Skrull counterparts, New York and much of the world is left undefended against the massive invasion force. But when all seems lost, new heroes like the Runaways, Young Avengers, and Nick Fury’s Secret Warriors rise to the challenge.

Reading Order:

  • New Avengers #42

  • Mighty Avengers #16 – #18

  • Secret Invasion: Front Line #1 – #2

  • Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers #1 – #2

  • New Warriors #14 – #15

  • Secret Invasion: Spider-Man – Brand New Day #2

  • Incredible Hercules #119

  • Ms. Marvel #28 – #30

  • Secret Invasion #4

  • New Avengers #43

  • Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers #3

  • Secret Invasion: Front Line #3

  • Avengers: The Initiative #16

  • Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. #33

  • Nova #16 – #18

  • Secret Invasion #5

Collected Editions:

Secret Invasion #8 Cover

Part 9.4: World War Skrull

The war has gone global with Skrull forces invading every corner of the Marvel Universe. From the X-Men’s new home in San Fransisco to the cities of Wakanda, heroes are spread thin as the Skrulls make their final play for power. And when the dust settles after a final confrontation in Manhattan, the Marvel Universe will find itself under the thumb of a new ruler.

Reading Order:

  • New Avengers #44 – #46

  • Avengers: The Initiative #17 – #18

  • Deadpool (2008) #1 – #3

  • Thunderbolts #123-124

  • Incredible Hercules #120

  • Secret Invasion: Inhumans #3 – #4

  • Black Panther #39 – #41

  • Secret Invasion: X-Men #1 – #3

  • She-Hulk #32 – #33

  • Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. #34 – #35

  • Punisher: War Journal #24 – #25

  • Secret Invasion: X-Men #4

  • Mighty Avengers #19

  • Secret Invasion #6

  • Secret Invasion: Front Line #4

  • Secret Invasion #7

  • Thunderbolts #125

  • Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #3

  • Secret Invasion #8

Collected Editions:


Secret Invasion: Dark Reign #1

Part 9.5: Secret Invasion Aftermath

The invasive forces of the Skrull empire have been defeated, so why does it still feel like the heroes lost? These books explore the immediate aftermath of Secret Invasion, as well as tee up major events to come such as War of Kings and Dark Reign. If you thought the Marvel Disassembled era was a dark period for the Marvel Universe, you haven’t seen anything yet.

Reading Order:

  • Avengers: The Initiative #19

  • New Avengers #47

  • Secret Invasion: Spider-Man – Brand New Day #3

  • Secret Invasion: Front Line #5

  • Secret Invasion: War of Kings #1

  • Secret Invasion Aftermath: Beta Ray Bill #1

  • Mighty Avengers #20

  • Secret Invasion: Requiem #1

  • Secret Invasion: Dark Reign #1